After weeks of speculation, Saint John Mayor Don Darling confirmed he is eyeing a run with the Liberals in the September provincial election.

Darling, who is halfway into his first term as mayor, said his influence and ability to effect change may be better served at the provincial level.

“It’s about having a lasting impact, driving the change we need for the city, and improving the lives of our citizens,” Darling said Tuesday.

“Having business, and the investment climate in the city improve, more clarity has come to me that the majority, if not all major change we need for Saint John to move forward and thrive, is provincial in nature.”

The New Brunswick Liberal Party approached the mayor about running in the Saint John Lancaster riding.

The seat, in west Saint John, is held by Progressive Conservative MLA Dorothy Shephard.

Darling said he doesn’t make light of his commitments as mayor, but “being mayor is like being chairman of the board with no vote,” which he said can impede the results he’s after.